Five years later...

What's taking her so long? Leon thought, his brow furrowed in frustration, leaning against an old, rotted archway. His arms were tightly crossed over his chest while his heart pounded faster with each passing second. The oppressive silence only heightened his growing sense of insanity.

A sudden sound of water leaking nearby caused him to startle, his whole body trembling. Leon's finger tapped impatiently against his arm as he gritted his teeth. How can a place in my mind be so damn cold?

"Leon?" a gentle voice called from the fog, barely audible yet unmistakably warm.

The dead flowers surrounding him rustled as he made his way past them, each step causing ripples on the lake beneath their feet. Her silhouette gradually came into focus.

But in the blink of an eye, she vanished, leaving only a faint shadow rising above him. Leon's eyes widened in disbelief. "That can't be Katie... I didn't hear any footsteps. Who else could it be?" He turned around, only to be met with a forceful gust of wind that pushed him forward.

Closing his eyes, he braced himself, preparing to open them again. "Boo!" Katie yowled, forcefully pushing him against the lake.

"Katie..." Leon looked up, and his breath caught in his throat.

She had magnificent, feathery white wings protruding from her back, a sight that left him utterly astounded. "Wha... how... you're flying!"

I still can't believe this is real... Hard to believe it's been almost a year. We've changed a lot since then, Leon thought, smiling. Katie giggled, brushing her bangs away from her eyes.

She landed gracefully, putting her hands on her hips as she grinned. "You already know I'm an angel... Is it that surprising?"

Leon scratched his chin, pondering on it. "I guess not... It's just the first time I've seen you use your wings."

She kneeled and extended a hand toward Leon. "Are you alright?"

Leon mustered a smile and looked at her, feeling a mixture of relief and awe. "I am now," he said, accepting her hand. "I was beginning to think you wouldn't show up today."

As he rose, he found himself mere inches away from her, their scents intermingling in the air. Their lips were on the verge of meeting when she abruptly stepped back, a blush creeping onto her cheeks. She bit her lower lip and looked away, attempting to suppress a delighted squeal. "You need to be patient... I want our first kiss to be real..."

Leon smirked, pulling her closer. "Everything here feels real already. What difference does it make? Why not just have a teaser here and then-"

Her blush went scarlet red as she playfully smacked his arm. Sparks burst at the touch. "D'ow! Since when have you been the violent type?" Leon retorted, rubbing his elbow.

She gasped, quickly embracing his arm. "Oh my God, I'm sorry! I'm so sorry.... you know how important this is to me, Leon."

Trembling slightly, a sharp pain shot through her legs, but she chose to ignore it. It didn't go unnoticed. "It's important to ME that you defend yourself," Leon said, turning to her. He was well aware of the hell she endured. She pretended that it didn't bother her, but he knew how she really felt.

She tried to cover the cuts and bruises, but it was impossible. It covered every inch of her except her face. They were fewer and fewer ever since they'd begun training, but it still pained him nonetheless.

His eyes narrowed, and he bit back the desire to shout. Taking a deep breath, he pulled her into a hug. "Leon?" Katie said, startled at first. Then her arms wrapped around his neck and squeezed, her eyes watering. "Is it okay for me to be this happy?"

"Of course it is? Why wouldn't it be?" Leon bit back the desire to cry, holding her tighter. What good am I if I can even protect someone I love?

After a moment of silence, she added, "Isn't today the start of your vacation?"

Leon frowned, stepping back before turning around, crossing his arms. "Yeah..."

Katie walked around, leaning so he'd be forced to look her into her eyes. "What's the matter? I thought you were excited about it?"

He paced back and forth, his reflection mirroring his restlessness as water splashed with every step. "I am. But my parents got a last-minute job to do. They said they'd try to meet up with us... but I doubt it."

She smiled, hugging herself as she reclined against the water's surface. "I wish my mother cared enough to send me on a cruise..."

Turning toward her, Leon knelt beside her. "I'm going to find you one day. I'll take you away. We won't need to meet like this anymore. It doesn't have to be a dream forever."

Katie looked at him but then lowered her eyes. "Do you even believe I'm real? For all we know, this really is just a dream. Anyone who can make me this happy has to be..."

Leon groaned, shaking his head. "Quit being so depressing. We both know there's no way this is fake. Nobody remembers their dreams the way we do. Because they aren't dreams. It's Ascension. That's what you called it when we first met, remember?"

Gently tapping her cheek, he smiled. "Ohh, I forgot about that! It was just a cool word I thought of. I didn't think you'd still use it..."

"Well, either way, we know we can control this... or at least you do. I don't know how to visit your mind yet. The most I can do is come back to this room every time."

They sat there together in silence, time stretching on endlessly within the confines of the room, the constant drip of water filling the void. Katie rested her head against Leon's shoulder, feeling the contrasting textures of his tough yet comforting presence. She hugged him tightly, shutting her eyes. "You said your cruise is going to Hawaii, right?"

"Yeah. It's going to be a long trip. Should take about a month to get there," he replied, sniffing lightly. Her hair carried the delicate fragrance of lavender, a scent he had come to cherish for its sweet familiarity.

Katie plucked one of the dead flowers in front of her, and as her fingertips touched the wilted petals, a transformation began. The flower bloomed, its stem turning a vibrant green, now a perfect rose.

The story has been taken without consent; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

"Maybe I'll meet you there," she said, a mischievous glimmer in her eyes eliciting a chuckle from Leon.

Leon tried to imagine introducing her to his friends. Richard would probably try to take her for himself, haha... Raina and Damien... how would they react? Hmm...

Katie grasped his cheek gently, making him look at her. "You don't believe me?"

Even as she said it, he pondered on it. Her eyes swallowed him whole. It felt as if the water around them drowned them both, and yet he wouldn't have minded a bit. He took her hand.

"I want to. I really do, Katie. More than anything," he said, leaning forward. Their lips were inches away when their heads knocked together.

They groaned, moving apart as Leon felt an invisible force pushing his arm. Leon... wake.... wake up! His sister's voice cried out from reality.

It's freakin midnight, what the hell does she want? Leon thought irritably.

"You have to go?" Katie asked, giving a weak smile.

He nodded. She stood and pulled him closer. Just before she completed the kiss, she pushed him away with a teasing smirk. His eyes shot open, and he felt himself crumble out of his bed.

—--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The room reverberated with a low, ominous hum as the vents circulated the air. In the midst of an expansive open field, three teenage girls stood poised for what lay ahead. Katie with her sisters Cynthia and Isabella facing her on the other side. It isn't every day they both come at the same time... This could be bad, Katie thought, grimacing.

Images of the countless beatings she had endured flooded her mind, but so did memories of Leon's rigorous training. The intensity with which he absorbed her strikes, her own graceful evasions, and the fiery determination in his eyes upon discovering her plight—these thoughts fused within her.

In an instant, her trembling ceased, replaced by unwavering resolve. With a resolute gaze, she locked eyes with her sisters. "Enough waiting. Begin!" Lilith's voice echoed, monitoring their progress from the nearby control room.

Isabella took a single step forward, frozen in her tracks as a cascade of feathers descended from above. Electricity crackled around Katie as majestic wings sprouted from her back, Cynthia and Isabella exchanged glances, having never seen the angel wings until this moment.

"I'm not afraid of you anymore. Sorry it took so long," Katie said calmly, drawing a cold laugh from Isabella.

"Talk is cheap, little sister. Back it up, and maybe I'll have a shred of respect for you!" she snapped, sprinting toward her.

Her fists flew in a relentless barrage. Katie's eyes narrowed as she weaved around them. There was a new grace in her movement, a speed that hadn't existed until this moment. Lilith leaned into the monitor, watching with wide eyes as her youngest avoided the attacks with ease. Katie leaped over Isabella, deftly landing behind Cynthia. With her wing folded, she intercepted a wild punch that could have inadvertently struck Cynthia's face.

"Katie... This is badass, but you're wide open!" Cynthia shouted, twisting as she threw a back knuckle.

Catching it effortlessly, Katie gripped Cynthia's arm tightly as she took flight. Helpless, Isabella stumbled backward, witnessing their ascent to the center of the room. "Wait, what are you—?" Cynthia's voice trailed off, her gaze fixed on Katie, who wore a mischievous smile as she clutched her sister's arm.

"Hold on tight. It's about to get bumpy from here," Katie exclaimed, hurtling them towards the outer wall while electricity surged, intensifying with each passing moment.

BAM! Katie's foot smashed through the metallic wall, bursting into the adjacent terminal room. Lilith's eyes widened in shock as she slowly comprehended the audacity of Katie's action. Without uttering a word, Katie whisked Cynthia away, darting down the corridor.

They sped past their quarters, traversing the outer yards where colonists gaped in astonishment. "Are we under attack?" One demi human with a lizard's face asked, stepping back.

"Is that the Warden's kids? Always wondered what they looked like," one woman said, taking her husband by the arm.

The breathtaking sight almost made Katie and Cynthia forget that they were soaring through the air. Their lives had been confined within the walls of metal and artificial climates of the training room's holograms. And all along, an entire colony of people had thrived just beyond.

Neon signs adorned shops, diners, and homes along the railways. The expanse stretched like three colossal football stadiums, interspersed with lush green parks and neatly divided trees.

Their mother's urgent voice broke the trance. "Katie, what do you think you're doing! Get back here!" Lilith shouted, her hand extended as a giant, shadowy hand reached out and snatched at them.

Swiftly evading the grasping hand, Katie darted faster than the eye could follow, taking Cynthia with her to the far side of the colony. "There's got to be some sort of shuttle that can fly out of here, right? Where is the hangar?" Katie asked, pulling along the bewildered Cynthia.

"Are you serious? What would you- What the fuck? Do you even know how to fly a crui–" Cynthia began, but her words trailed off as they grazed walls and railings, forcing her to pull her legs up to avoid scraping against the obstacles. "Watch where you're going, damn it! I'm going to die before we even get there! Go left!"

"Sorry!" Katie responded, taking a sharp turn. It was a tight squeeze in the hall as they narrowly avoided slamming into every group of people they moved past. "Excuse me! Don't mind us! Please move!"

It was so wild and frantic, Cynthia couldn't help but laugh as she was dragged along for the ride. Finally, they reached the end of the hall, stepping into a vast chamber teeming with an array of elegant ships and cruisers of various shapes and colors. The obsidian floor mirrored the grand ceiling and its luminous lights.

Not caring for choosing, Katie flew them into the back of a gray ship. Cynthia groaned as they finally landed, practically leaping into the pilot's seat. "You just had to pick the ugliest one, didn't you?" she muttered, expertly flipping switches left and right.

"Now isn't the time to be picky? You know how to-" Katie started, but Cynthia waved her hand impatiently.

"We don't have time for stories, damn it! Pull that lever so the back door closes!" she snapped, to which Katie obliged swiftly. "Sit your ass down and buckle up! We're taking off now!"

Lights throughout the cruiser flickered to life as the engines roared to life. Taking her own seat, Katie fastened her seat belt, anticipating the jolting acceleration as they broke through the protective shields at breakneck speed. The cruiser careened away from the shrinking colony, their teeth clenched as they swerved towards Earth.

Cynthia's eyes darted between the flashing radar screens. For now, no signs of pursuit. They both fell into a heavy silence as they neared the atmosphere. Shock merely scratched the surface of their current state.

Shock merely scratched the surface of their current state [https://img.wattpad.com/7065cd8cff620476f7a8961d63cd310e6f45caa6/68747470733a2f2f73332e616d617a6f6e6177732e636f6d2f776174747061642d6d656469612d736572766963652f53746f7279496d6167652f73305656665f6b42466677756d673d3d2d3737373635303034342e313761373264366638373733653233663639313135363837313439372e706e67?s=fit&w=1280&h=1280]

(Concept art of the shuttle they escaped in)

"We just escaped from Luna Base..." Cynthia managed to mutter, her vision growing blurry.

Shaking her head vigorously, she narrowed her eyes, fully aware that their triumph was tempered by an avalanche of consequences. Lilith would be hot on their trail within the hour, if not minutes after their departure.

"What the fuck has gotten into you, Katie? I knew you were acting differently lately, but this is- ...I can't even begin to describe the shitstorm that's going to be waiting for us if she ever catches up to us," Cynthia said, peering at Katie.

She flinched as she noticed tears falling down Katie's cheeks. "Can't even break the rules without the water works, huh?" she gave a weak smile, turning away from her. It was a wonder she wasn't a broken mess herself.

"I'm sorry, Cynthia-" Katie started, but Cynthia shook her head.

Cynthia took a deep breath, a wild grin forming on her face. "Save that bullcrap. I didn't even try to stop you, and you know why? I didn't want to. My only other real question is what the fuck took you so long?"

Katie wiped her face with the sleeves of her sweater, sighing. "I was too afraid before... I still am, but someone important to me said giving into fear is the worst thing you can do. It will always exist."

"It's a boy, isn't it? My little sister has love on the brain? When the hell did this happen?" Cynthia interjected, expertly manipulating the controls. A vibrant blue shield enveloped the cruiser as they pierced through the atmosphere, shielding them from harm.

With that Katie began to explain her dreams as Cynthia guided them over the ocean, into the horizon.